Linkin Park – The Emptiness Machine
There was the countdown. Then there was the other countdown. And it was obvious that whatever Linkin Park were up to it was gonna be big. But this? Don't pretend you reckoned on it. New singer Emily Armstrong introduces herself marvellously here, and as much as anything else, even with drummer Rob Bourdon not part of it, it's just wonderful to have Linkin Park in a room together again.
Hot Milk – Where Does The Light Get In?
Somewhere in their big summer doing big things on big stages with Foo Fighters and blink-182, Hot Milk found time to write a big tune. Which is what they normally do, but the chorus of Where Does The Light Get In? is particularly grand, almost choral. Banger.
Spiritbox – Soft Spine
Surpriiiiiise, new Spiritbox! No surprise: it's really heavy. Nothing soft about it, this is a song with real backbone [Enough shit jokes! – Editor]. Get ready for this to damage the floor when it drops at their Alexandra Palace show.